Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Blacksburg
Virginia curbside collection runs weekly from Monday through Friday. Your exact pickup day depends on your local county or city zoning schedule.
State Mandate
Virginia DEQ regulations strictly prohibit lead-acid batteries, motor oil, and whole waste tires in curbside bins.
Varies (Standard Town-Issued Refuse Cart) Bin (Trash)
All refuse must fit entirely inside the town-issued cart with the lid closed. Do not place loose bags on top of or next to the cart, as automated arms cannot safely collect them.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged refuse
Blue (Standard Town-Issued Recycling Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling materials should be placed loosely in the provided recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic trash bags. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire)
Yard Waste Bin
Brush is primarily collected during the free Spring and Fall Cleanups or via the $75 Friday special pickup program. Small quantities of grass and leaves may go into standard refuse carts if space permits.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Small tree limbs (up to 7 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Biannually (Free) or On-Demand (Paid)
Placement
Limited to one dump truck load (10'x7'x3'). Do not place items near low-hanging wires, parked cars, or fire hydrants, as heavy equipment is used to scoop the piles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Up to 8 car tires (off rim)
- ✓ Brush and yard debris (under 7 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and major construction debris
- ✕ Pressure-treated lumber
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Commercial, racing, or farm use tires
The $75 out-of-season bulk fee can be paid with Visa/MasterCard by calling (540) 443-1060 or in person at 300 S. Main Street.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The town utilizes designated make-up days for holidays. If your normal Monday or Tuesday pickup is canceled due to a holiday, your makeup day is Wednesday. If your Thursday or Friday pickup is canceled, your makeup day is Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Special Friday bulk and brush pickups are suspended on major holidays.
Blacksburg occasionally alters schedules for specific local events or extended holiday weekends, so checking the 'My Waste App' or town Citizens Alerts is recommended.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
Keep Bamboo Out of the Brush Pile
During the Spring and Fall Cleanup events, the town will not accept bamboo mixed into the yard waste pile due to its fibrous nature and potential to damage wood chippers. Bamboo must be stacked with standard household junk.
Remove Doors from Appliances
For safety and compliance, any large metal appliances—such as refrigerators, freezers, or washing machines—placed at the curb during cleanup weeks must have all airtight doors completely removed.
Separate Tires from Rims
When utilizing town cleanup services to dispose of old tires, you must remove them from their metal rims. The town accepts a maximum of eight tires per household, and they must have an inside diameter of 19 inches or less.
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe Spring Cleanup runs for four weeks in April (one week per quadrant). Residents must place bulk items and brush at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled week, stacked outside and away from fences, mailboxes, and lampposts.
Autumn
September to OctoberFall Cleanup typically kicks off in late September. Remember that brush is collected by one specific truck, while metal, tires, and junk are collected by another truck later in the week. Do not add to the pile once a category is collected.
Winter
December to FebruaryBlacksburg experiences occasional heavy snow. In the event of a weather cancellation, Monday and Tuesday routes are typically pushed to Wednesday, while Thursday and Friday routes are postponed to Saturday.
About Blacksburg Waste Management
Quadrant-Based Refuse and Recycling in Blacksburg
The Town of Blacksburg manages curbside refuse and recycling collections based on a four-quadrant geographical system. Southeast Quadrant homes are serviced on Mondays, Northwest on Tuesdays, Northeast on Thursdays, and Southwest on Fridays. For immediate schedule changes, including holiday interruptions or snow delays, the town utilizes designated make-up days: Wednesday for the Monday/Tuesday routes, and Saturday for the Thursday/Friday routes. Residents are encouraged to pick up a free recycling calendar magnet at the Blacksburg Community Center or Municipal Building.
The Biannual Spring and Fall Cleanups
Twice a year, Blacksburg's Public Works Department provides a highly anticipated town-wide cleanup service for bulky items and yard debris. Collections roll through the town one quadrant per week. To ensure pickup, materials must be sorted into separate, distinct piles: one for brush, one for metal appliances (doors removed), one for tires (up to 8, rims removed), and one for general household junk. Remember that bamboo is classified as regular debris, not brush, and must be piled accordingly.
Special On-Demand Bulk Pickups
If you are moving in or out of Blacksburg or completing a project outside of the designated Spring or Fall Cleanup weeks, the town offers a Special Pickup service. For a $75 prepaid fee, residents can schedule the removal of up to one dump truck load (10'x7'x3') of brush or bulky rubbish. Pickups occur exclusively on Fridays, and the fee must be paid by the Wednesday prior via phone or at the cashier's window on the second floor of the Municipal Building.
Montgomery County Consolidated Drop-Off Sites
When your trash or recycling cart reaches capacity, Blacksburg residents can utilize the Montgomery County Consolidated Sites. The closest location is the Prices Fork site at 4680 Prices Fork Road. These facilities feature compactors for household garbage and roll-off containers for standard recycling materials. They operate on extended summer and winter hours, making it convenient to responsibly dispose of excess waste without waiting for your weekly collection.
Recycling Mandates for Apartments and Commercial Properties
Because Blacksburg is a bustling college town, local ordinances strictly regulate waste at multi-family housing complexes and commercial properties. While the town directly services single-family residential curbsides, apartment property managers are required by Town Code § 20-403 to provide private recycling access for their tenants. Complexes not utilizing town service must also submit semi-annual disposal and diversion rate reports to the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling.
Drop-off Facilities
Prices Fork Consolidated Drop-Off Site
4680 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Materials Accepted
Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority (MRSWA)
555 Authority Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my trash collection in Blacksburg if it snows or there is a holiday?
The Town of Blacksburg has built-in make-up days for service disruptions. If a holiday or snowstorm falls on your Monday or Tuesday collection, your makeup day will be Wednesday. If the delay impacts a Thursday or Friday collection, your pickup will move to Saturday.
How do I get rid of an old couch or brush pile outside of the Spring Cleanup week?
You can request a Special Pickup for bulky items and brush. The service operates on Fridays and costs $75 per dump truck load. You must prepay the fee by the Wednesday prior to collection by calling the town cashier at (540) 443-1060.
How much brush can I put out during the free Fall Cleanup?
Brush piles are limited to what will comfortably fit into one town dump truck bed, which is roughly 10 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 3 feet high. Branches must not exceed 7 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter.
Are apartment complexes in Blacksburg required to recycle?
Yes. According to Town Code § 20-403, all apartment complexes and townhomes must provide recycling services to their tenants. If your property manager uses a private waste hauler instead of town service, they are legally required to report their recycling disposal rates to the town twice a year.